Lucia turned in her sleep, as the rain splattered, loudly, on the window. Lucia shivered subconsciously, as thunder, struck, in the sky. In her sleep, she could see her hands, stained in blood, her mother's blood. Lucia continued to turn uneasily, on the bed.
Still, in her sleep, Lucia desperately tried to get the blood off her hands, but she could not. Dipping her hands, and washed thoroughly in water. But, Lucia could still see blood, like it was fresh. It was frightening, for Lucia in her sleep. Lucia heard a voice, behind her.'You killed her.' Lucia heard the voice and turned. It was like a whisper to her soul, sinking into her subconscious. Lucia shook her head, desperately, trying to tell the owner of the voice, that it was not true, but Lucia could not see anyone, she only continued to hear the voice.As Lucia shook her head, in her sleep, she was turning all over the bed, squeezing the bed sheets. Lucia opened her eyes suddenly, her eyes were misty and dazed. It took two minutes, before Lucia could decipher, where she was. Lucia sighed and stood up, from the bed.It was not the first time, she had a frightening dream, like that. It became frequent, after her mother's death, and it reduced after she was adopted by grandpa James, where grandpa James, would sometimes hug her to sleep, when frightened. Lucia subconsciously or consciously blamed herself, for her mother's death. Lucia walked out of her room, she always thought that if she did not try to take the knife out, if she had just left the knife, and not moved it, maybe, her mother would have survived. Lucia thought she increased her mother's pain, by trying to take the knife out. Lucia was thirsty, and the water jug, in her room, was empty, as she always liked to take water. As her footsteps sounded, in the darkness, Lucia did not notice Hugh, who was sitting by the large dining table, as she entered the kitchen. Lucia was still immersed in her thoughts.Taking a glass of water, Lucia walked out of the kitchen. "Are you okay?" Hugh asked, suddenly and Lucia heard Hugh's deep voice. Lucia was deeply startled, the glass of water, slipped from her hand, to land on the tiled floor. The glass made a sharp sound, as it broke."You startled me," Lucia said, with a hand, placed on her chest, to calm her palpitating heart. Hugh stood up from he sat, walking towards Lucia. He tried to keep his eyes, away from her, as Lucia was in just her night dress. Her body shape was vague to him."Step back," Hugh said, sternly, his voice giving no room, for objections. Lucia quickly stepped back, and winced from the sudden pain, in her leg. She watched as Hugh bent down, to inspect her legs. "You have a cut, on your calf," Hugh said, looking at her milky white legs.Hugh questioned the wild thoughts, he had about Lucia, starting after he caught Lucia in his arms, earlier. He hid wild thoughts, perfectly, but now different wild thoughts, whirled, uncontrollably in his head. "Stay here, I will get the first aid box," Hugh said and stood up, walking towards the kitchen.Hugh took the first aid box, out of the kitchen cabinet. He walked hurriedly, towards Lucia, hoping to get her wound treated quickly, so he could get the unwanted thoughts, out of his head. Hugh saw that Lucia was still standing, "You should sit." Hugh said, and Lucia gladly obeyed.Lucia smirked slyly, as Hugh sat on his heels, to treat the wound on her calf. As Hugh took Lucia's leg, in his hands, he felt a spark, which made him frown. Lucia enjoyed his touch, the position was uncomfortable for her, as she had to turn her body slightly.But Lucia would not complain, as she would drop glasses of water, again and again, for Hugh to touch her. Lucia kept her gaze, on Hugh's focused face, as he cleaned and dressed her wound. Hugh could feel Lucia's burning gaze on him, but he didn't want to think too much.Hugh was a bit surprised and confused, at the spark he felt when he touched Lucia. He knew he should not and would not be able to feel that spark with someone, but he was sure he felt it. Hugh hurriedly finished dressing Lucia's wound, standing up, he took back the box."You should go to sleep, it's 2 am. You have a long day, today." Hugh said, bluntly and also in consideration of what she had told him earlier. Hugh walked to the kitchen, and put the first aid box, in its place. Walking out of the kitchen, he walked past Lucia.Lucia was a bit surprised, sad, at Hugh's blunt words, failing to detect the concern in them. She watched as Hugh walked past her, his back disappearing into his bedroom. Lucia sighed and stood up, the pain in her leg had reduced. Sleep had already left her eyes. Lucia walked around the house, as she had nothing to do, she walked stealthily to Hugh's door, and placed her ear on his door, trying to detect any movement, but she could not. Lucia knew that she was acting like a stalker, but she didn't mind, since Hugh didn't see her.Behind the door, in Hugh's bedroom, he had already detected her presence at the door, with his sharp senses. Lucia was making it hard, for him to concentrate on his thoughts, and Hugh was very bothered. Bothered, that she could affect him, like that. Hugh was unsure, why it started.Hugh sat stiffly, on his bed, knowing Lucia was still at his door. He didn't want to make any movements, that would make her want to stay, and listen more. After a few minutes, Hugh heard Lucia sigh, and move away. Hugh released a breath, he did not know, he held.Hugh pulled his shirt from his body, the muscles on his arm, ripped, showing his manliness. He threw his shirt, on one side of the bed, pondering on what he felt earlier. He did not want to accept, that it was what he thought it was. He needed to find answers.__Lucia was already in her room, she was sad, that Hugh had left her, that way. But, she comforted herself, that she at least got Hugh to touch her, of his own will. "You should sleep as he told you. It going to be a long day today." Lucia muttered, to herself.Lucia got on the rumpled bed, pulling the thick blanket, over her head. She hoped to get some sleep soon, but she could not. She thought about Hugh, not realizing that her admiration for her bodyguard, was slowly turning into something else. Lucia then thought, about her grandpa James.A small smile, bloomed on Lucia's face, as she thought of her grandpa. He was always mysterious as if he was hiding many secrets, about himself and others. Now, Lucia anticipated telling her grandpa James, that she would be taking over the company, as that was what he wanted.Lucia had always declined to take over Alix Enterprise, as she thought it wasn't her right, to own such a large company. Lucia didn't know that her refusal, to take over, was causing a toll on grandpa James, as he couldn't fulfill the promise he made to Lucia's mother, Isabelle Young.Lucia pulled the blanket off her, she couldn't fall asleep. She might as well do something very productive, and that will help her proposal to take over tomorrow. Lucia knew, that even though she had all the necessary knowledge, grandpa James, would still have to evaluate her, on his terms.Lucia walked out of her room, towards her study. Opening the door to the study, it was dark inside and Lucia quickly put on the lights. The study room was large, and filled with books, both old and new. She liked books, and grandpa James generously gifted them to her.The study had wide bookshelves, that covered three walls. A small shelf, placed beside the fourth wall, showcasing the awards and honors, that Lucia had received in recent years. Lucia walked to her study table, it was a mahogany desk, with books, documents, and her laptop, placed on it.Lucia sat on the swivel chair, behind the table, and opened up her laptop. Lucia began to make research on Alix, some of it, she already knew. Lucia also searched about rival companies, what they produce, how they faired, better or lesser than Alix Enterprise, and potential money-making ventures.Lucia continued to work, for hours, there was so much information, to take in. There were so many juicy money-making ventures, for Alix Enterprise to venture in, to move forward. Lucia rubbed her eyes, and looked up, she could see the rays of sunshine, leaking through the windows.Lucia stood up, and swayed, a little. Her legs, were stiff, due to the long hours of sitting at the same spot. Lucia looked up to the clock, hung on the wall, she gasped, seeing it was 6:30 am already, surprised, that she worked for so long.Lucia walked out of her study, with dark circles, around her eyes. She looked drained, but Lucia didn't feel like that at all. As Lucia, walked out of the study, she heard Hugh come in. She stared at him, because he looked so manly and sweaty, after his morning jog.Lucia gulped, as she could see the outline, of his toned abdomen, through his body-hugging shirt. She wasn't the slightest bit, ashamed that she was staring at Hugh, while he was looking back at her. Hugh, on the other hand, couldn't stand her gaze, he coughed to get her attention.Lucia frowned at Hugh, for interrupting her, with his sudden cough. She shamelessly said, "I was checking you out, and you interrupted me." Lucia said, walking past him, to go to her bedroom. As she walked p
Hugh stepped out of the car, first. He scanned the area, for any threats or persons. When it was clear, he opened the car door, and Lucia stepped out, gracefully. The duo walked to the private elevator, that led to the highest floor, of the company building. Lucia brought out a key card, from her bag, and swiped it. The elevator opened, and they both stepped in. Again, Hugh was near Lucia and subtly looked at her. Lucia was tapping her foot, on the floor of the elevator, waiting to get to the top floor.As they got to the top floor, the elevator creaked open, and Lucia was quick to spot, the five secretaries, working for her grandpa James. It was also not Lucia's first time there, and the secretaries knew better than to comment or stop her, from going into the CEO's office.The secretaries were three females and two males. One of the two males, working also as grandpa James' assistant. None of them had ever seen Lucia's face. As Lucia and Hugh passed by them, a nosy secretary whisper
Time was ticking, news was flying around. A reporter caught sight of Grandpa James being wheeled out of the building. Grandpa James' pictures, were all over the internet. People speculated that grandpa James was on his deathbed. This news spread widely, more than the original news that was released.The shareholders of the company were going into an uproar. They didn't care about grandpa James but profits. They knew that grandpa James didn't have an heir, to take over the company. They thought that it was their chance. The shareholders quickly got to the hospital, to see grandpa James.They could easily coax grandpa James to give up the company, to one of them. The one with the sweetest mouth would win. Lucas, grandpa James' assistant, had caught on to the shareholders' plans. But, he could not divulge that grandpa James had an heir, he hadn't seen, clearly, before.Lucas arrived at the hospital earlier, he could see a few reporters lurking around the hospital grounds. Some of the repo
Hugh walked into the elevator, on the top floor. Grandpa James' ICU was on the top floor, and also Lucia's resting ward. Pressing a button, he rode the elevator, to the last floor of the hospital's lobby, which was noisy. He took out his phone, to call grandpa James' assistant. Grandpa James had provided Hugh, with his assistant's phone number. Just in case, there was an emergency. Hugh dialed the number, as soon as he got to the last floor, at that time. Lucas on the other hand, took out his phone, tiredly, hearing his phone ring, in his pocket. He noticed it was an unsaved contact, and Lucas put the phone back into his pocket. It was unreasonable for him to do so. But Lucas had his fair share of the reporters' disturbance. He wondered who had leaked his private number, to the public. Hugh frowned, as he walked past Lucas and the shareholders. His eyes were glued to the phone, not noticing Lucas, who was a few feets away from him. On the other hand, Lucas noticed Hugh, but he did n
Hugh sighed tiredly, he felt X was a disturbance to him, but he couldn't even hang up the call on him. He quickly cut X off, "I know what I'm doing. I prefer it here than to stay with those hypocrites over there." Hugh explained, keeping his words subtle.The driver was looking at Hugh through the mirror above him. X sighed over the phone, deciding to drop the topic, but he said, "I would not be there when anything happens. I will dump you fair and square." X sounded like a lover to Hugh now. Hugh chuckled amusedly.X snorted back at Hugh, deep down in his mind. He knew he couldn't abandon Hugh when anything happens. He had always been helping Hugh, even though he was way older than Hugh. "What do you want to inquire about?" X asked, curiously, since Hugh had not brought it up.Right at that moment, the driver stopped before an apartment building. Hugh got out of the car and paid the cab driver and walked into the parking lot. He didn't pass through the lobby, preferring to use the el
Hugh got into the elevator, with Lucas who squeezed into it. When the elevator was about to close. Hugh had his back to Lucas. Lucas stared at his back, and couldn't help but wonder who Hugh really is. Hugh was carefree with him, a while ago, now, he was cold.Lucas tapped his feet, on the elevator floor. He watched as the number changed as they pass through floors. The familiar sound of the elevator rang out, as they got to the top floor. Hugh walked out and led Lucas to Lucia's resting ward. He took out the ward key.Lucas raised his brows in surprise when Hugh opened the door. 'Is she caged?' Lucas thought inwardly. They walked in and Lucia who was sleeping soundly in bed opened her eyes suddenly. She felt the presence of people in the ward. She felt the bed she slept on, for her mask. Lucas looked at Lucia on the bed intently. Her face was facing the wall. He could see her side profile, but he couldn't make anything out of it. As Lucia had hurriedly put on her mask, hiding her fa
"You want some?" Hugh asked. Lucia looked at Hugh but shook her head. Her eyes were fixed on the egg-fried rice. Hugh ate his food, slowly, taunting Lucia. He expected Lucia to grab the food, from him. As it was only a little left. Hugh was surprised Lucia did not.Hugh finished his food and put the used plates in the dustbin. They weren't reusable, so he had no need for them. Lucia was still sulking and Hugh moved closer to her. "Are you upset?" Hugh asked softly. His tone of voice surprised Lucia and she looked at him, skeptically. Hugh noticed the question in her eyes. He had always been cold towards her. Even though he cared about her, he wouldn't actively show it, as how he did now. Hugh wanted to hug Lucia. He knew she would gladly hug, but he didn't want to take advantage of that.Lucia looked at him, with a sly smirk on her face. The surprised and questioning gaze was gone from her eyes. She wouldn't exploit this rare side of Hugh, to her satisfaction. She didn't know that th
Lucia rested her back, on the wall beside the bed. Her lips were a little swollen due to the kiss. She was reminiscing about the mind-blowing kiss. It was her first kiss, and she never thought it was going to happen like that. She heard a knock on the door.Lucia quickly took her mask and wore it. She knew it would be Lucas at the door, as no one else knew she was there. "Come in." Lucia's steady voice rang out. Lucas opened the door gently and closed it behind him. He looked at Lucia's face and he frowned.Lucia noticed his frown and she arched a brow at him. He couldn't help his curiosity, he asked, "Why do you always have your face covered?" Lucas asked. Immediately after he asked his question, he knew he had crossed the line. He scolded himself internally, waiting for Lucia to lash out. Lucia smirked but of course, Lucas couldn't see it. "That is none of your business, Mr. Lucas." She said. Lucas put his head down, he was embarrassed. He also wondered how she knew his name. He ha